Jacks seek second all-time postseason victory in matchup with League One juggernaut
Matchup: No. 4 Charlotte Independence vs. No. 5 Greenville Triumph SC
Venue: American Legion Memorial Stadium; Charlotte, N.C.
Kickoff: Friday, Oct. 20; 7:30 p.m. ET
Weather: Partly cloudy, 60°
Broadcast: ESPN+
Hashtag: #CLTvGVL | #USLPlayoffs
Series (First Meeting): 4-2-0, GVL (2022)
WHAT MATTERS
- A triumphant trend: Greenville Triumph SC - the league's winningest club - is the only club in league history to play postseason soccer in all five seasons of League One's existence. John Harkes' side will aim to become the first fifth seed to earn a postseason victory and eventually become the first club to win the league twice.
- Tar Heel history: The Charlotte Independence have now qualified for the postseason in six of its nine seasons. That figure places the Jacks alongside the Carolina Lightnin' (ASL), Charlotte Eagles (USISL/USL), North Carolina Courage (NWSL) and Carolina Dynamo (USISL/USL) as one of the most efficient postseason clubs in the history of professional soccer in North Carolina.
- Leaning on the vets: In the all-time series between Charlotte and Greenville, only Leo Castro, Dane Kelly and Aaron Walker have scored multiple goals. One - or more - of the aforementioned veterans will need to step up on Friday night in order to see their side into the Semifinals.
PLAYER TO WATCH
- GK - Austin Pack (CLT): Pack's new league record of 116 saves in a single season - 30 more than second-placed Jared Mazzola's 86 - will be put to the test as he is tasked with containing the likes of Leo Castro, Lyam MacKinnon and Jacob Labovitz.
AVAILABILITY REPORT
- CLT: D - Clay Dimick (out, injury)
- GVL: M - Tevin Shaw (out, injury), M - Aaron Walker (probable, injury)
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